EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES
Empowers you to take ownership of your learning and development

• The recruitment cycle for the REACH program is November through January.
• The recruitment cycle for the REACH Mentors is March-May.
• The Program Manager for the Office of Student and Community Engagement (OSCE) emails the promotional material to in-state and out-of-state Pre-med and STEM advisors.
• The Pre-med and STEM advisors disseminate the promotional material to the students.

• Prospective students are guided through the application process, which includes completing an online departmental application and the LSU Health Shreveport Student Worker application. This support ensures that students can navigate the process with confidence and ease.
• The assistant vice chancellor for SCE screens, reviews and selects the REACH participants.
• The assistant vice chancellor pairs each student with an LSU Health Shreveport research mentor based on the students’ interest or availability of a research project.
• At the end of the selection process, the program manager notifies the applicant of their acceptance or denial into the program via e-mail.
• Students are required to sign the department's Commitment and Participation Form, which outlines their responsibilities and expectations during the program, and the Guidelines Form, which provides specific rules and regulations they must adhere to.

Students follow the LSU Health Shreveport Human Resources Onboarding Guidelines, which ensure they are properly integrated into the LSU Health Shreveport system, and the Louisiana Higher Education Foreign Security Act, which is a legal requirement for all foreign students studying in Louisiana.

A total of 79 prospective medical students applied to the REACH summer program in 2025, with 25 accepted to participate. Among the cohort, were 20 (80%) female participants and 5 (20%) male participants. Among the cohort, were 12 (48%) Caucasian American, 8 (32%) African American, 2 (8%) Hispanic, and 3 (12%) Asian American.

These 25 students represented 13 different colleges and universities:

• (4) Louisiana State University at Shreveport
• (1) Baylor University
• (1) Brown University
• (4) Centenary College of Louisiana
• (5) Louisiana Tech University
• (2) Spellman College
• (1) Louisiana State University
• (1) McNeese State University
• (1) Nicholls State University
• (2) University of Louisiana Monroe
• (1) University of Arkansas
• (1) Mississippi College
• (1) University of Louisiana Lafayette

Program Activities and Outcomes
The REACH Poster Presentation, held on July 28, 2025, in the BRI auditorium, drew over 200 attendees. Each student presented their research findings, showcasing their scientific writing skills and ability to evaluate scientific data. Participants were mentored by 17 faculty members across campus. Participants and their mentor complete a midpoint and final evaluation of the program. A total of 22 (88%) of the participants strongly agree or agree with the statement, “I have enjoyed participating in the Research Experiences To Advance Careers In Healthcare (REACH) Program, sponsored by LSU Health Shreveport’s Office of Student and Community Engagement.” A student enrolled at Louisiana State University in Shreveport said, “This program has greatly exceeded my expectations.”

Among the 25 participants
2 (8%) applied to medical school in the 2025-2026 application cycle.
12 (48%) plan to apply in the 2026-2027 cycle.
8 (32%) plan to apply in the 2027-2028 cycle
1 (4%) plan to apply in the 2028-2029 cycle.
Among the remaining participants, one plans to pursue Physician Assistant (PA) School, and one not to pursue a healthcare career. Among the participants who applied to medical school (2025-2026), 100% were accepted into LSU Health Shreveport as early decision candidates.

Program Effectiveness
REACH successfully provided undergraduates with hands-on research, faculty mentorship, and practical professional skills. A wide range of participants and a culminating poster presentation supported academic growth and career readiness. High satisfaction levels and most participants’ intentions to pursue advanced healthcare education show that REACH advances LSU Health Shreveport’s mission.

"Thank you so much for allowing me to be a part of REACH this past summer. I truly believe that the research experience that I gained through REACH has been an integral part in my medical school application success and my academic journey. I truly look forward to continuing my involvement in cutting-edge research at LSUHS as a medical student."

Brendan Martin, Class of 2030